Deep Sea Precision as US Submarine Torpedo Destroys Iranian Warship

 

The United States military confirmed Wednesday that an American submarine successfully sank an Iranian warship using an underwater torpedo in international waters—marking the first time a U.S. submarine has destroyed an enemy vessel with a torpedo since the end of World War II.

The strike took place early Monday in the Indian Ocean and was described by officials as a highly precise operation carried out during the rapidly expanding U.S. military campaign against Iran. According to defense leaders, the torpedo strike represents a significant milestone in the ongoing conflict, which has already seen more than 2,000 targets hit in just over 100 hours.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Pentagon, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the Iranian warship believed it was operating safely in international waters before it was targeted.

“An American submarine located and engaged the vessel with a torpedo,” Hegseth said. “The ship was destroyed beneath the surface in a swift and decisive strike.”

The weapon used in the operation was a Mark 48 torpedo, a powerful underwater missile carrying a warhead weighing roughly 650 pounds. According to the U.S. military, the torpedo detonated beneath the stern of the ship, lifting the vessel momentarily out of the water before it exploded and sank.

Video footage captured from the submarine’s periscope and later released by the Department of War shows the moment the torpedo struck the Iranian vessel, sending a towering plume of smoke and water into the air.

An unarmed Iranian ship was invited to take part in an Indian naval exercise alongside the United States.
Its sailors were welcomed on land and paraded before the president as a gesture of cooperation.
Then, at the last moment, the United States abruptly withdrew from the… pic.twitter.com/7r3BfFALF5

— Richard (@ricwe123) March 5, 2026

Sri Lankan officials reported that the attack occurred around 5 a.m. local time near the island nation’s waters. The ship involved has been identified as the IRIS Dena, one of Iran’s newer warships equipped with advanced weapons systems including surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, torpedo launchers, and heavy guns.

Authorities in Sri Lanka said approximately 180 sailors were aboard the ship when it was hit. Rescue operations began shortly after the explosion, with naval vessels dispatched to the scene within hours. Officials reported that 32 crew members were rescued and transported to hospitals, while at least 80 fatalities have been confirmed. Dozens of sailors remain unaccounted for.

Military leaders described the strike as part of a much broader campaign aimed at weakening Iran’s military infrastructure. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine said U.S. forces have already eliminated more than 20 Iranian naval vessels during the operation.

“For the first time since 1945, a United States Navy attack submarine has sunk an enemy combat ship with a single Mark 48 torpedo,” Caine said. “It achieved immediate results and removed a significant threat.”

Officials also noted that U.S. forces now hold complete air superiority over the region. With control of the skies secured, the military has begun deploying laser-guided and GPS-guided gravity bombs ranging from 500 to 2,000 pounds to strike additional targets.

According to Hegseth, the campaign began with long-range precision weapons designed to operate outside enemy air defenses. Now, he said, the U.S. military is shifting to more cost-effective aerial strikes as operations intensify.

“Four days into this mission, we are just getting started,” Hegseth said.

The Pentagon also revealed that a key Iranian figure allegedly involved in planning an assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump after the 2024 election was killed during the strikes. Officials said the individual had been added to the military’s target list during the operation, though his identity has not been publicly disclosed.

The conflict has already resulted in heavy casualties across the region. Iranian authorities report more than 1,000 deaths in Iran alone, while additional fatalities have been reported in Israel and Lebanon. The United States has confirmed that six American service members have also lost their lives.

As military operations continue, officials say the United States remains focused on degrading Iran’s military capabilities while maintaining control across the sea, air, and strategic strike domains.

“The objective is clear,” Caine said. “We will continue to act decisively to neutralize threats and protect our forces and allies.”